Best Sneaker Releases February 2023 Week 2

Mschf/Garrett Bruce

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Love is in the air this week and so is a stacked roster of sneaker releases. Everything from New Balance collaborations to Nike and Jordan Brand launches are being served up with a red cherry on top courtesy of MSCHF. However, let’s not forget to review what headlines caught our attention last week before we get into the main course.

The Hypebeast team stayed busy rolling out features this week, starting with our latest edition of Sole Mates featuring product designer Cash Ru. He showcased his creation with Nike – the Air Max 97 “Shanghai Kaleidoscope” – and discussed design inspirations, his go-to sneakers growing up and more. We also sat down with Joe Freshgoods in celebration of his Vans “Chocolate Valley Resort” collection. Additional conversations took place with Edison Chen, Samuel Ross and four other creatives teaming up with Timberland this year for its Future73 initiative, revealing first looks at collaborative pairs to come. Lastly, in preparation for Valentine’s Day, we put together a ranked list of the holiday’s best thematic sneakers.

As for the news week’s top stories from Nike, the Swoosh presented LeBron James a custom pair of LeBron 20s designed by The Shoe Surgeon to commemorate him breaking the all-time scoring record. The celebrations continued with the reveal of a new collection highlighting 50 years of hip-hop, led by the Air Force 1 Low. Billie Eilish and AMBUSH’s latest takes on the Air Force 1 Low also popped up courtesy of Nike alongside news of a Jacquemus x Nike “JF1” being prepared. Official looks at the six sneakers that are releasing as part of the Doernbecher Freestyle XVIII collection were shared as well.

Billie Eilish also found herself in headlines with Jordan Brand as a new slip-on silhouette – the Jordan Hex Mule – appeared in a collaborative all-black colorway alongside in-house looks in “Light Silver” and “Sea Coral.” Elsewhere, the Air Jordan 1 made plenty of noise with an official reveal of the Air Jordan 1 High OG “White Cement,” a first look at Teyana Taylor’s Air Jordan 1 High and a custom from Huy Le flipping the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low from “Phantom” to “Tiffany.”

Two pieces of big news surrounding adidas arose, leading with former Nike designer Nathan VanHook – of Air Yeezy II fame – being named Vice President of adidas Basketball footwear. In less than exciting news for the Three Stripes, unsold YEEZY inventory is expected to lower revenue by $1.29 billion USD due to its massive backstock of currently unsellable sneakers.

Other notables from the industry included an upcoming Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 860v2 collaboration, a scheduled restock of the BEAMS x Clarks Originals GORE-TEX Wallabee Boot and the launch of the LOEWE Grass Sneakers.

With all of the past week’s footwear headlines covered, let’s dive into what drops to look forward to this week. As always, slide by HBX to complete your footwear digest for the day by shopping styles that are available now.

Stüssy x Nike Air Penny 2 “Rattan”

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Release Date: February 14
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Stüssy is one of streetwear’s most potent collaborators. Whether it be connecting with Dries Van Noten on mind-bending pieces or teaming up with Nike on elevated apparel basics, the California-based brand keeps on winning. Now, Nike is offering a second opportunity to snag their latest project as the “Rattan” colorway of the Air Penny 2 hits the SNKRS app. Leveraging its layered upper, a premium hemp canvas and synthetic suede combination stands out, resting atop a wavy black sole unit.

Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Black/White”

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Release Date: February 15
Release Price: $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: There’s a reason the Air Jordan 1 plays a central role in the sneaker game after almost 40 years of service: its silhouette is timeless. Celebrating this, Jordan Brand takes a page out of its own book with the re-release of its original “Black/White” colorway from 1985. A timeless design element in its own right, black and white go back and forth across the sneaker’s leather upper as the 1 reverts to its ‘85 form this time around.

UNDERCOVER x Nike Moc Flow

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Release Date: February 15
Release Price: $160 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: Across Jun Takahashi’s hefty collaborative portfolio with Nike there are countless unique creations that have been met with mixed results. However, more often than not you’ll end up seeing old works pop-up later as gems that were ahead of their time. Continuing the streak of mixing and matching Nike silhouettes to create something new, UNDERCOVER has combined the ACG Moc’s upper and the ISPA Flow’s sole to craft the aptly-named Moc Flow. Its clashing style is backed by UNDERCOVER’s “CHAOS AND BALANCE” motif to complete an eye-grabbing look.

Stone Island x New Balance 574 Legacy

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Release Date: February 16
Release Price: $140 USD
Where to Buy: Stone Island
Why You Should Cop: Last year, Stone Island joined forces with New Balance Tokyo Design Studio, presenting two electric colorways of the FuelCell RC Elite V2. This time around, the in-your-face design that lit each look up has been discarded with the introduction of Stone Island’s New Balance 574 Legacy. Opting for a more traditional New Balance experience, the classic silhouette sees shades of green combine with a mixed material construction. Topping it all off, Stone Island’s iconic compass logo arrives on the tongue.

MSCHF Big Red Boot

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Release Date: February 16
Release Price: $350 USD
Where to Buy: MSCHF
Why You Should Cop: MSCHF constantly reminds us that fashion can be fun. Backed by viral marketing campaigns, its releases continue to offer unique ways to interact with footwear and apparel. Instantly taking over social media, the Big Red Boot’s moment in the spotlight may not be long, but it will remain memorable. Already, various creative takes on styling the jumbo sneaker have gone from comedy to comedy. Throw your hat into the ring and see what kind of outfit you can come up with by grabbing a pair this week.

size? x New Balance 1906R “Green/Black”

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Release Date: February 16
Release Price: $170 USD
Where to Buy: size?
Why You Should Cop: Time sure flies as our first look at this sneaker was back in August of last year, just under six months ago. Now, the UK-based retailer is ready to spring into action with the launch of its minty fresh 1906R. The primary hue combines with strong black detailing to capture attention while complementing black apparel to ensure versatility. If you’re looking for a twist on New Balance’s typically conservative looks, size? has you covered.

Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Laney”

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Release Date: February 17
Release Price: $180 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: If black and white colorways aren’t your speed, Jordan Brand has packed plenty of flavor – without compromising on its heritage – into this year’s take on the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Laney.” Its blue and yellow makeup nods to Michael Jordan’s time at Laney High School. Flipping the 2013 version of the theme, a women’s colorway sees blue leather overlays and Swooshes rest atop a bright yellow base. A pop of red and black breaks up the color scheme at the tongue branding to add an extra bit of flair to this stand out look.

JJJJound x New Balance MADE in UK 991

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Release Date: February 17
Release Price: $250 USD
Where to Buy: New Balance
Why You Should Cop: For those who missed out on last week’s drop, it’s not too late to tap into JJJJound’s latest project with New Balance. Various gray, olive and cream hues work together seamlessly as the Canadian design studio continues its conquest through footwear as leaders in tastefulness.

Air Jordan 13 “Playoffs”

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Release Date: February 18
Release Price: $210 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: It’s been twelve years since the “Playoffs” colorway of the Air Jordan 13 last hit shelves. Thankfully, Jordan Brand has decided to finally revisit the classic look. Having debuted during the ‘98 All-Star Game, it’s only fitting that it returns during All-Star Weekend. Its primarily black look is supported by its dimples on the premium leather upper, a green cat’s eye emblem and a red and white outsole.

Nike Basketball All-Star Weekend Collection

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Release Date: TBC
Release Price: $135 USD to $200 USD
Where to Buy: SNKRS
Why You Should Cop: With the Super Bowl out of the way, there’s still plenty more exciting sports action to take place. The NBA’s All-Star Weekend is set to go down and Nike Basketball has once again geared up for the event with colorful arrangements of the LeBron 20, KD 15 and Zoom Freak 4. On the LeBron 20, the lateral’s double Swooshes have been reversed with the sneaker carrying a Jurassic-inspired theme featuring a reptile-like print. As for the KD 15, various red and orange hues are accompanied by off-white shades that mix and match throughout the court-ready sneaker. Rounding things out, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Zoom Freak 4 has been equipped with an out-of-this-world colorway that sees lavender combine with blue and pink.

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